Trouble | James Potter vs Sirius Black

one ; a challenge approved

ONE ; A CHALLENGE APPROVED

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      "I can't possibly recall a moment in time that girl did not have her nose stuck in a book," Peter Pettigrew remarked.

        The group of four, notoriously known around Hogwarts as the Marauders, discreetly snuck glances at the petite girl across the Gryffindor table.

It was breakfast.

Dark brown hair draped the sides of her face as she stared down at the beaten down book placed on top her lap. Every once in a while, her hand would reach up, in search of the already cold scone on her empty plate. She'd take a nibble, sip her coffee, and repeat the process five minutes later.

"The face on that witch is a complete mystery to me," James Potter said. "She rarely looks up long enough for anyone to know what she looks like."

        Sirius Black nodded in agreement, chugging orange juice simultaneously. "I've heard from Frank Longbottom she's a real head turner, y'know, when she actually lifts that head of hers. Of course, it was more of a one time thing during Potions when the Professor asked her a question. So the story is more of a myth than fact."

         "Actually," Remus Lupin started, "She's a wonderful girl, prettier than the average."

         Almost in chorus, Peter, Sirius, and James had looked at Remus with awe.

         "Moony.. you've been a witness to Magenta Knight's face?" Peter uttered.

          With his focus on buttering his waffles, Remus murmured in response. "Mags is in the library almost every second of her existence until she remembers sleeping is mandatory to living- oh and class, mustn't forget class. So.. I study with her a lot, in fact, she helped me finish my Study of British Muggles essay last night in the common room. I'd have to say I was quite impressed on her knowledge on the use of a telephone-"

          Remus paused upon noticing the unusual silence from his friends, they all had been staring at him as though he was a Muggle sitting in the Great Hall. "What?"

         James and Sirius shared looks with mischievous grins growing on their faces. The boy with the long black hair wiggled his eyebrows at Peter, almost to send a secret message.

       "For Merlin's sake what are you three doing?!" Remus questioned laying his fork down.

"We are going to make some new friends, Moony." Peter chuckled.

"And by new friends we mean one friend-" Sirius clarified.

"One named after a color-" James added.

"Bloody hell Prongs will you just spit it out!"

      "We, the arrogant, rude, and completely disrespectful group-" James was now standing with his right hand raised to his chest, pridefully speaking, " otherwise known as the Marauders. Will accept the challenge of getting the oddly quiet and hiddenly-"

"Hiddenly is not a word!"

"No need to get your knickers in a twist my dear Moony. Where was I? Oh, oddly quiet and hiddenly gorgeous- Magenta Knight- to consider us her "friends"."

Three of the four raised their orange juice filled glasses and sounded Hoorahs, frowning at Remus's disapproval. Peter peeked across the table to see if the girl of the main topic noticed, no, she hadn't. She was still indulged in the raggedy, old book from the dustiest corner of the library.

"Mates, what do you define as friends? Because if it's one of your games, Padfoot, I won't allow it, Mags doesn't deserve-"

Sirius raised his hands in defense. "It's alright Moony! This isn't one of my games! Once we introduce your book loving Magenta to a life of hexs and jinxs and she fully accepts it, that's when we've accomplished our goal!"

Remus stood to be level with the others, with concern he stared right into Sirius's eyes. "Please Padfoot, just promise me you won't break her heart."

       It didn't take a wizard to know his good pal had a reputation to jump from girl to girl, having a different flavor from week to week. Sirius could sense the seriousness of his friend's words as he assured him he wouldn't. In the corner of his eye, Remus could see James cracking up at the exchange.

"That includes you too Prongs. I don't care how much you supposedly love Evans, promise."

         Covering a hand over his mouth, still believing it to be a joke, he promised.

Utterly in love with the redhead beauty, Lily Evans, it was a humorous thought to James. Me? Consider anyone else besides Evans? Yeah right.

          And as fast as a morning meal, the Marauders deemed the idea of seeking friendship with seemingly lonely and sweet Magenta Knight was a worthy investment. Despite the preexisting friendship Remus Lupin had with the girl, the boys were in for far more than they bargained for. They all did not truly know her, no matter what they had determined from her exterior.

They were all headed for more trouble than they'd ever looked for, and it would be one intriguing ride.